File No. 763.72119/828
The Minister in Switzerland ( Stovall) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8, 7.30 a.m.]
1595. I learn from various sources that Austria has recently been sending to Switzerland a quantity of unofficial agents to work at peace propaganda. Among the most active are Colloredo-Mannsfeld now in Geneva and the Austrian Consul General in that city, also Károlyi is here incognito and is being watched by Allied agents. They have made several indirect advances to French and British and the country is full of rumors as to the terms which they have proposed. My own impression is that the Allied representatives have merely listened to what Austria has to say without making a definite response.
It appears that none of the agents have intimated that Austria can make separate peace although there is no doubt that she will use her utmost endeavor to make Germany bring peace before the coming winter. However, it may be hoped that if not too rigorous terms are offered to Austria a split may be obtained between her and Germany but at what point this split would occur is a matter which I have been unable to ascertain and which I shall continue to follow most carefully; but also it must always be borne in mind that it is probable that Germany is using the good will of the rest of world towards Austria to push her own plans for peace.